The Color of Courage: Codename Odile

Two women. Two timelines. One story of resistance, art, and courage in the face of tyranny.

Marseille, August 2004

When Sil Anderson arrives in Marseille to attend the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts, her only goal is to heal through painting. But when she finds a vintage suitcase in her new flat, filled with wartime letters and sketches, everything changes. The letters belonged to Lise de Baissac, a real-life SOE agent in Nazi-occupied France, whose legacy has long been forgotten.

Through Lise’s eyes, Sil is swept into the world of WWII female spies, French Resistance missions, and the impossible choices faced by those who dared to fight. From Poitiers to D-Day drop zones in Normandy, Lise’s bravery unfolds in bold strokes. Determined to honour her, Sil paints a mural across the heart of Cours Julien—The Colour of Courage—blending Lise’s story into Marseille’s modern graffiti scene.

But art isn’t the only thing echoing across time. As Sil’s connection to her mysterious landlord, Justin Bellamare, deepens, she begins to see her own choices reflected in Lise’s story. Both women fought in different eras—for freedom, for love, for a voice.

The Colour of Courage: Codename Odile is a dual timeline WWII historical fiction novel inspired by the real-life heroine Lise de Baissac, perfect for fans of clean romance, spy fiction, and strong female leads in Kindle Unlimited.